meditative art

Dragonfly Tile by Jill Gibson

While on an all too brief 3 day retreat at the Oregon Coast last week I had wonderful luck to sit on the sun deck for a couple of hours observing birds, bees, and dragonflies with the Pacific Ocean in the background. It reminded me I’d gotten an email in June from a potential customer who had seen several dragonfly-themed items on the website and referred me to some information. Since then I’ve been collecting info here and there for a blog.

In my nearly ten years of owning retail businesses anything with a dragonfly on it – jewelry, stationery, art, pottery, whatever… draws customers. But oddly, I rarely see them alive. My brief research indicates that not only are dragonflies well loved and beautiful, both living and in design, but they are fascinating and unique insects.

Dragonfly Heart Spirit Heart Rattle by J. Davis

Some facts from Wikipedia: The female dragonfly lays her eggs in or near water, often on floating plants. They hatch into a larvae form known as a “nymph”. While in that stage, which lasts for 2 months to 5 years depending on the size of the species, they live underwater and breathe through gills located in their rectum.

When the larva is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it climbs up a reed or other plant. Exposure to air causes the larva to begin breathing. The skin splits at a weak spot behind the head and the adult dragonfly crawls out of its old larval skin, pumps up its wings, and flies off to feed on mosquitos and flies. The adult stage of larger species can live up to five or six months, a short time compared to it’s long nymph stage.

Dragonfly Turtle by Ruth Apter

The adult dragonfly is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body. What makes them really amazing is in flight the adult dragonfly can propel itself in six directions; upward, downward, forward, back, and side to side. The wings of most dragonflies are held away from and perpendicular to the body when at rest, distinguishing them from the similar damselflies.

According to http://www.dragonfly-site.com/meaning-symbolize.html,  “The meaning of a dragonfly changes with each culture. Symbolism of the dragonfly include renewal, positive force and the power of life in general.  Dragonflies can also be a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity. Also, as a creature of the wind, the dragonfly frequently represents change.  And as a dragonfly lives a short life, it knows it must live its life to the fullest with the short time it has – which is a lesson for all of us.”

Dragonfly and Gingko Copper and Glass Wall Fragment by Creekmore Durham

“There are many different representations of the dragonfly; it all comes down to which culture you happen to be in.  For instance, if you are in Japan, the dragonfly symbolizes a new light and joy. Some animal symbolism has the dragonfly representing good luck, prosperity, swiftness, purity, harmony and strength. Some Native Americans believe dragonflies are the souls of the dead. There are also many cultures that believe that the meaning of a dragonfly is happiness, courage and subconscious thoughts. It is also believed that if you see two dragonflies paired together that they represent love and maturity.”

Read more information about Cheyenne and Dakota symbolism here.

Also see these dragonfly-themed items: Small Dragonfly Milgros Bowl, Soaring Dragonflies
 Copper Wall Fragment, Meditation Flags, and Heart Shaped Ceramic Box

Hanging Willow Wishnest

During the process of creating this business, I cleared out all my personal trinkets/tchotchkes to make way for a CQS showroom in my living space.  At first I thought I would miss the miscellaneous items collected over the years - gifts, inherited knickknacks, travel memorabilia, statues, small pieces of wall art, etc.  Nevertheless, everything had to go to avoid confusion for potential showroom visitors. Funny thing, now after 9 or 10 months, I haven’t missed anything.  In fact, I can’t remember what’s in the boxes stored in the basement. Now, at least to my way of thinking, each and every item in my showroom and living space is something I chose because it has symbolic meaning and would be something to encourage a quiet, meditative space.

Today I’m noticing the wonderful nests, three different styles that have recently joined the other handcrafted sanctuary items in my showroom; the Willow Wishnest that hangs and the two other nests that can sit on a table, dresser or hearth. I searched the internet for information about the symbolic meaning of nests. I first thought of home, safety and family but here are some things I found while searching:

Also mentioned are concepts as such as “nest egg”, “leaving the nest” and “feathering the nest”. Nest is also a verb meaning to move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position, cuddle, snuggle.

Pewter Wishnest with Turquoise Eggs

Another source, Aisling Ireland, BellaOnline’s Dreams Editor, located at http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art20069.asp, “Eggs are an obvious symbol of fertility as they contain a new life inside waiting to hatch. In dreams eggs may symbolize the same idea only the life waiting to break out of the shell may be some new talent or idea. The important thing to remember is that the egg symbolizes something new, something that is still gestating. Whatever is growing inside you needs time to develop and must be carefully looked after because eggs are fragile creatures.”

According to Dream Coach Leon Nacson,
http://www.dreamcoach.com.au/default.asp?page=symbols&search=Nest says a quick decode for a nest in a dream is home; commitment; comfort.  He asks the dreamer, “What kind of nest do you see in your dream? Tiny birds can build the most intricate nests that are engineering feats. Do you want to be secure, grounded, well established, and protected?”

Birds Nest with Pearl Eggs

In my search I saw that a nest with eggs represents good things happening business-wise. Right there is a good reason to have nests in my showroom!  Take a look at these three unique nests by clicking on the pictures, Willow Wishnest and the pewter Wishnest, both by artist Alise Sheehan, and Cnythia Webb’s design with the pearl “eggs” in the pewter nest.

Nancy Goodwin, Owner
Creating Quiet Spaces

Raven Patina Bowl by Creekmore Durham

Last night at “book group”, seven women came together at my home to talk about a book that we had decided to read and discuss at our last meeting. A new group member walked in for the first time and looked around at the treasures in my home “showroom”.  Apparently noticing a number of ceramic animal pieces, she asked if I had anything with the Raven theme, her husband’s power animal.  I showed her several items and while there was not time to ask her more about their “meaning” I became more curious about the Raven as a power animal and did a little research today.

Ravens are the largest songbirds in North America and are known for their ability to mimic the calls of other

Raven Treasure Box by Rolling Raven Studio

animals and even some human words. Due to their large size, intensely dark coloring, their loud and raucous croak, along with the dubious reputation for cleaning up nature by eating dead animals, than can seem frightening and intimidating. They are said to be the “keeper of secrets” and the “teachers of mysticism”.  According to www.animaltotem.com, they are about heightened awareness and consciousness and are here to help us be reunited with the mysteries of the universe so we can expel our inner demons.

According to the website www.shamanicjourney.com, “Ravens have this power, giving out varied sounds, and can assist us in shifting our consciousness into various dimensional realms. Hence this is a reason why the raven is referred to as a shape shifter with magical powers. ‘Raven people’ can expect continual changes and spiritual awakenings throughout their lifetime.”

Rolling Raven by Rolling Raven Studio

Check out the these Raven pieces on the CQS website. If you have comments about the Raven or would like to share what you know about power animals, please be a guest blogger.

Nancy Goodwin, Owner
Creating Quiet Spaces
nancy@creatingquietspaces.com